Family’s agony as Scot’s ordeal over indecency claim in Dubai goes on
A SCOT facing three years in jail in Dubai for touching a man in a pub appeared in court yesterday – as his parents revealed their anguish over his ordeal.
Jamie Harron claims he only put his hand on his accuser’s hip to avoid spilling a drink – but was arrested for public indecency and drinking.
The 27-year-old was locked up and has been stranded in the United Arab Emirates since July.
He has been stripped of his passport, lost his job as an electrician and has racked up more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees.
He had expected to be arrested at yesterday’s hearing after failing to appear at a previous court date – which campaign group Detained in Dubai claimed had been moved without notifying him. But the electrician, from Stirling, was released and told to remain in the emirate for future court dates.
Yesterday, his parents told of their torment. His caterer father Graham said: ‘Patricia [my wife] and I have not been able to relax. We never dreamed we would have to face something like this.
‘Jamie is a good boy. He has never been a problem and never in trouble. It is killing us to think of him spending even three nights in jail, let alone three years.
‘The UK Embassy has not done anything to help.’
According to the UAE’s English language newspaper The National, Dubai Criminal Court heard that Harron allegedly touched a 49year-old German man’s behind.
When the German questioned him, Harron allegedly started ‘flashing his middle finger at me’. A 27-year-old mechanical engineer, a friend of Harron, told prosecutors no offence was meant.
According to The National, he said: ‘He was passing near the other man and accidentally touched his arm then immediately apologised and he patted him on his behind in a gesture that meant he was sorry.’
The incident happened at the popular Rock Bottom bar on July 15. Harron – who had been on a two-day stopover – was arrested for public indecency and drinking alcohol. Tourists who consume alcohol at licensed venues can still be arrested for drinking.
Detained in Dubai said Harron was locked up for five days in Al Barsha prison before being bailed. Harron claims he was left in a ‘foul smelling’ cell with one ‘revolting mattress’ for nine prisoners. He said: ‘The whole thing is like a horrible dream... this has broken me, financially and emotionally.
‘I am in debt because of the legal fees and won’t even be able to afford to appeal the case if it doesn’t go in my favour.’
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: ‘Jamie is relieved he wasn’t arrested [yesterday]. She said another court date was expected in about two weeks, adding: ‘He’s concerned. It seems to be never-ending.’
Detained in Dubai said Harron had been to the emirate many times and ‘knows and respects’ the laws, adding: ‘[The] only intention was to avoid spilling a drink.’
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing consular assistance.
‘Whole thing is like a horrible dream’